Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2022 to Question 98939 on Cost of Living Payments: Universal Credit, whether the circumstances of Universal Credit claimants who are paid four-weekly was taken into consideration by the Department in determining eligibility for the 2023-23 cost of living payments.

In determining eligibility for the 2022/23 Cost of Living Payments, the eligibility periods were chosen to reflect the nature of the qualifying benefits and have remained simple to ensure these payments can be made to those who qualify quickly and at scale to support millions of people on low incomes.

We recognise that some people will flow on and off benefits due to fluctuating earnings, including claimants who are paid four-weekly, and our policy reflects that. The 2022/23 Cost of Living Payment is being made in two payments to reduce the chance of someone missing out completely.